Page 4, Fire News, February 2022
FireNews.com
From the Editor’s Desk Dennis Whittam, Editor
Well Done, Responders! With the recent fatal fires in the Tremont section of the Bronx and a major fire in Philadelphi’s Fairmount section, I feel compelled to share my thoughts with you about these terrible fires. As with all fires, the flames were extinguished, but not without severe fatal consequences. At the Bronx and Philadelphia fires, authorities reported that many children perished in these blazes. The loss of a child amplifies the sad feelings towards this job. When I heard about the possible cause of why the fire spread, along with the thick acrid smoke, in my mind, I heard the voice of former reporter Frank Field saying, “Close the door, close the door!” Frank Field, who was a fire buff, made an excellent video on fire prevention called, "”lan to Get Out Alive.” I used to show this video every year to the students I taught in Lynbrook (NY) and followed up with a hands-on exercise demonstrating how to remain safe during a fire. I retired feeling proud of the job I did, and only hoped that my work would continue. As I watched the news coverage of the Bronx fire, so many thoughts ran through my mind. My thoughts focused on the 200 heroic firefighters who worked feverishly to save as many lives as they could. Every responder who
worked this blaze is a hero in my eyes. Having served in the volunteer fire service for 29 years and being the son of a 32-year veteran on the FDNY, I know what it was probably like when our heroes returned to the firehouse. One of the worst memories that any responder or combat veteran must endure is the loss of life, especially the life of a child. I can remember situations from years ago that changed the demeanor of responders who returned to their firehouses and homes, wanting to be left alone. My dad had several fatal fires in his career. When he returned home, my mom could immediately tell that something was wrong. I remember my dad sitting on the couch and staring into space. Sooner or later, he shared his horrific experience with my mom and later in life with me. The scares and scars of battle never seemed to go away. Looking at the future, it is important to remember that when little things start to bother you for no apparent reason, there may be a serious reason why your personality has changed. Today we call it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that develops in some people who have suffered or experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. It is natural to feel afraid
during and after a traumatic situation. Fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to help defend against danger or to avoid it. The FDNY and the volunteer fire-rescue service have experienced teams to help you deal with PTSD and other problems that develop in the life of responders. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your Counseling Service Unit and sit down to talk with one of your peers. To all the heroes that responded to Bronx Box 3162 and Philadelphia's Fairmount fire, stand tall and be proud of the job that you did. You gave your all and performed well. - Dennis
